Sex Crime Defense Attorney in Marietta

Misdemeanors, Felonies and "Wobblers"

In Georgia, sex crimes can either be either a misdemeanor or a felony. Most offenses are very serious and are therefore considered felonies, but there are some that are "lesser" offenses and will not receive as harsh of a punishment. Also, many sex crimes are considered "wobblers," meaning that the one offense in question can be convicted as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the prosecution.

Types of Sex Crimes and Their Penalties

Examples of misdemeanor sex crimes include public indecency, lascivious acts, possession of pornography (unless it involves children), and solicitation for prostitution. The latter can escalate to a felony upon a third offense. Fines for these acts can range anywhere from $500-$1,000, and imprisonment for up to one year in jail. Felonies are punished much more harshly. Rape, sexual assault, child molestation, child pornography, and other such acts are felony sex crimes, resulting in high fines and prison sentences for up to 20 years, or even life.

One might also note that any sex crime committed against a minor is a felony. Statutory rape, child molestation and child pornography are very serious offenses that will likely result in heavy fines and decades in prison. If you are facing charges for any kind of sex crime, it is in your best interest to hire a competent Marietta criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Georgia Code § 16-6 outlines the various sexual offenses that can be prosecuted in the state. There are more than 20 separate sex crimes, all of which are considered extremely serious. Additionally, nearly all of these sex crimes have an extremely negative connotation in the public community and, unfortunately, these hostile views of sex crime offenders often seep into the legal realm. With such widespread distaste surrounding sex crimes, even mere accusations can be devastating. Alleged offenders are often subjected to harsh public opinion and, in some cases, are the victims of harassment.

Having dedicated our careers to criminal defense and to protecting the rights of defendants, we know that there are a variety of reasons why innocent people are charged and prosecuted for crimes they did not commit. In each and every case our legal team accepts, we make it our mission to preserve the rights of clients and to ensure that they have a fair trial and the opportunity to vindicate themselves of their charges.

While this can be a difficult task in any criminal case, the harsh public opinion of sex crimes and sex offenders means that the principle of innocence until proven guilty is not always adhered to by those in the legal community.

Whatever your charge may be, you can be confident that our experienced legal team fights for your rights throughout every step of your legal process. By reaching out to our firm as soon as possible after your arrest, you can better equip yourself with the support you need and deserve during these difficult times.

Our team can draw from our experiences in past sex crime cases to ensure that all investigations are conducted according to the law and that your case proceeds without any bias or unfair opinion that can impact the outcome of the case. At The Merchant Law Firm, we truly care about our clients and about using our skills to use the legal system and law as it was intended. With our proven Marietta criminal defense lawyers, you can trust in our abilities to preserve your right of innocence until proven guilty.

Consult with a Marietta criminal attorney today!

If you are facing charges of a sex crime, you need aggressive defense right away. At the Merchant Law Firm, we have handled criminal defense cases for more than 18 years and are fully capable of providing excellent representation. Peers and clients alike have provided glowing reviews for our services, giving us a "Superb" rating on Avvo®. Our firm was also listed in the 2010 edition of Georgia Trend's Legal Elite.

With every case we take on, it is our goal to provide our full attention and care to each client, communicating with them and guiding them every step of the way. Your case will receive a personal touch that many lawyers fail to provide for their clients.